Hostage Rescue Team - Definition and Overview

The Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation's premier tactical unit.

The Hostage Rescue Team was founded in 1982 as part of the Critical Incident Response Group. Its purpose was originally to serve as a domestic paramilitary police unit, to offer a tactical option in hostage and terrorist situations. It originally comprised 50 agents, although this has now increased to 91. The members of the HRT are said to be among the most highly trained and best-equipped combat personnel in the world, although they have rarely been called upon to fulfil their original mandate of rescuing hostages. The HRT commonly functions as a super-SWAT team in highly sensitive or dangerous situations.

The HRT is known to train with units such as SFOD-D (otherwise known as Delta Force), France's GIGN, Britain's SAS, and other international units.

The personnel of the HRT are selected on a strictly volunteer basis from the ranks of the FBI. After a four-month initial training period, they spend their time either at the Quantico headquarters or in training within the rest of the United States.

The HRT was a participant in the famous disasters at Ruby Ridge and Waco.

See also

• SWAT
• STAR

Further reading

• Christopher Whitcomb, Cold Zero: inside the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (2001) ISBN 0316601039